June 4th 2017 - Bethpage, NY - After two straight runner-up finishes, Lauren Peter is second no more.

The Carmel High School junior carded an even-par 72 on Sunday at Bethpage Yellow to win the NYSPHSAA girls golf state championship by two shots over three-time defending champ Lindsay May of Auburn.

Peter became the first Carmel player, male or female, to win a state golf championship.

"It feels great," said Peter, who was the first-round leader last year but tied for second after a second-round 75. "I've worked hard to get to winning this today."

Peter entered the final round with a two-stroke lead on two players and also a three-shot cushion on May. She shot an opening-round 68 Saturday, but Peter bogeyed her opening hole Sunday and then bogeyed the par-5 10th to fall into a tie with May.

Peter responded to the adversity well, playing bogey-free golf on the final eight holes. She regained the lead for good with birdies at Nos. 13 and 15 to finish at 4-under par for the tournament.

Peter missed the par-5 13th in two, but got up and down for birdie. She then hit her approach to 15 feet and sank the putt.

"The front nine was OK, but the back nine got a little intense," she said. "On 18, I didn't know I had officially won. I knew it had gotten tense, but I didn't know who was winning."

The Ohio State commit received congratulations shortly after sinking her putt. Her success was shared on Sunday by several Section 1 players who also helped the team win its third straight title in a romp.

Ursuline junior Caroline Hodge, the Section 1 champion, and Scarsdale sophomore Kaitlyn Lee also shot 72s. Ursuline freshman Alice Hodge had a 78 and joined her three teammates in the top 10. Carmel's Amanda Tully (13th), Byram Hills' Ally Steffan (T-14th) and Edgemont's Vienna Chiu (T-14th) all finished in safely in the top 20 as well.

"We're all really happy," Peter said. "They're all amazing golfers. I'm happy three of us shot even today and a couple other players shot really good scores. We were so excited to win."

Section 1's balanced play allowed it to outpace runner-up Section 8 by 58 shots. The team should be an overwhelming favorite to fourpeat next year. Its top five finishers are all underclassmen.

Lauren Peter signs the winning scorecard after the
Lauren Peter signs the winning scorecard after the Carmel High School junior shot an even-par 72 at Bethpage State Park June 4, 2017. She won the NYSPHSAA girls golf state championship. (Photo: Submitted photo)
NYSPHSAA girls golf state championships